[Palindrome] Pre-Hunt party: Thursday, Jan 13th, 6:30 - 11:00

[Eric Albert <Eric Albert alumni brown edu>]

We'll be holding a pre-Mystery-Hunt party here at our home on Thursday 
evening, January 13th, from 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm.  (Unlike every other party 
we hold during the year, the ending time for this is sharp: this is the 
one night that we, the out-of-town members who'll be staying here, and 
you, too, if you know what's good for you, need to get enough sleep.)

This party will be completely informal, just a friendly time for folks to 
get (re)acquainted, hang out, joke, recount triumphs and disasters of 
previous Hunts, and enter the pool for just how long I'll be able to keep 
the Christmas tree up before it spontaneously bursts into flame.  There 
will be snack food and delivered pizzas.

Our home is in the Auburndale part of Newton, a couple of blocks from the 
intersection of Routes 95 and 30.  We are seven tenths of a mile from the 
Riverside T stop, which is the last stop on the D train of the Green Line. 
 (We can pick up people at the T stop -- just call.)  If you'd like a 
ride, post a request to this list -- maybe another member lives near you.

Note: there is currently frozen snow on the ground here.

We particularly urge people who are new to our team to come: this is a 
great time to meet, learn the names of, and get comfortable with your 
fellow team members in a relaxed atmosphere.  That'll make the Hunt more 
fun for you *and* everyone else.

Directions below.  Hope to see you there!

-- Eric

=====================================================================
Directions to the home of Eric Albert, Sia Stewart, and Gus Black
(617) 969-8787

14 Hancock Street (not Avenue)
Auburndale, MA  02466

[Note that Auburndale is the part of Newton that's next to Waltham
and Wellesley.]
=====================================================================

*** Note 1: We had cats for a long time; if you have allergies, you
     might want to take your medication before visiting.

*** Note 2: Our house is large with many doors.  We encourage you to
     go to the kitchen door, which is on the first floor at the back
     of the house; it's visible from the garage.  There's no doorbell
     there, so just walk in and yell.  Really!  (If this makes you
     uncomfortable, walk around to the door on the LARGE covered porch
     on the side of the house that faces the Mass Turnpike and *pull*
     the doorbell knob on the right side of the door.)

=== Coming on public transportation:

Take the D branch of the Green Line to Riverside Station (the last
stop).  Call us from the pay phone there and we'll pick you up (it's
a two-minute car ride from our house).

=== WEST: Coming to 14 Hancock Street from the west:

Take the Mass Pike (I-90) to exit 14.  (The exit is marked for the
     exchange with I-95 and also for Route 30.)
Go through the toll booth.
Take the left fork of the exit, going north on I-95/128.
Take the first exit off I-95/128, for Route 30.  This will be on the
     right.
Follow the exit ramp until it makes a T-intersection with Route 30.
Go right onto Route 30 (Commonwealth Avenue), towards Boston.
Follow Route 30 about a block until you come to a light (there's a
     gas station just ahead).
Bear right at the light (about a 30 degree angle) onto Auburn Street.
Follow Auburn Street a few blocks until there's a bridge on the
     right, over the Mass Pike.
Cross the bridge, then immediately turn left onto Central Street. 
Take your first right onto Hancock Street.  As you turn, you will be
        passing our house on the left (it's on the corner of Hancock and
     Central).
Turn left into the driveway just after the house.  (There's a
     three-car garage at the end of a moderately long driveway).

=== EAST: Coming to 14 Hancock Street from the east:

Take the Mass Pike (I-90) to exit 16.  (The exit is marked
     Wellesley / Route 16.)
Take the right fork of the exit, towards Wellesley.
Go right onto Route 16.
Take the first right onto Auburn Street.  (You'll turn just before
     a Mobil gas station).
Go down Auburn Street until you reach the lights at the intersection
     with Commonwealth Avenue.  (Commonwealth Ave. is a two-lane
     street.)
Go through the lights, crossing Commonwealth Ave.
Continue on Auburn Street until the next set of lights.  
        (The street sign on your right will say "Auburn" and "Auburn";
     enjoy this and don't worry.)
Go straight through the lights.  You are now on Central Street.
Hancock Street is the third possible left.  (The first two are tiny
     streets).
Turn left onto Hancock Street.  As you turn, you will be passing
     our house on the left (it's on the corner of Hancock Street
     and Central Street).
Turn left into the driveway just after the house.  (There's a
     three-car garage at the end of a moderately long driveway).

=== NORTH: Coming to 14 Hancock Street from the north:

Take 128/95 south to exit 24 (Route 30).  This is the exit just after
     the intersection with the Mass Pike. 
Take exit 24.  At the foot of the exit, take Route 30 (Commonwealth
     Avenue) going east towards Boston. 
Follow Route 30 about a block until you come to a light (there's a
     gas station just ahead).
Bear right at the light (about a 30 degree angle) onto Auburn Street.
Follow Auburn Street a few blocks until there's a bridge on the
     right, over the Mass Pike.
Cross the bridge, then immediately turn left onto Central Street. 
Take your first right onto Hancock Street.  As you turn, you will be
        passing our house on the left (it's on the corner of Hancock and
     Central).
Turn left into the driveway just after the house.  (There's a
     three-car garage at the end of a moderately long driveway).

=== SOUTH: Coming to 14 Hancock Street from the south:

Take 128/95 north to exit 22 (labelled "Grove Street / M.B.T.A.").
At the end of the exit ramp, turn right, towards the MBTA station.
     (There will be a Holiday Inn across the street.)
Pass the MBTA on the left.  Continue on Grove Street until there
     are traffic islands on your left and the street curves right.
Navigate through the traffic islands (turning left, then right).
You are now on Hancock Street.
Continue on Hancock, crossing an intersection (large church on the
     right).
Continue on Hancock until you reach the last house on the right
     (Hancock ends in a T intersection with Central Street).
Our house is the last house on the right.  (Low pointed-stone wall
        along the front yard.)
Turn right into the driveway just before the house.  (There's a
     three-car garage at the end of a moderately long driveway).